Beef Chili

Different chili recipes present a wide variety of regional personalities and variations, not to mention favorites: Do you like it with or without beans? Chopped meat or ground meat? Whole chiles or mixed chile powder, or both? This recipe will appeal to just about everyone. Whether it’s the Super Bowl, game night, or just a plain Tuesday dinner, it can be dressed up and down for the occasion. Always serve it with some combination of toppings, such as grated cheese, sour cream, sliced avocados, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion or scallions, or minced cilantro. Garnish with tortilla chips or crumbled corn bread.–Lucinda Scala Quinn

LC As You Like It Note

Those toppings the author mentions above? Lovely. But do yourself and your friends and family a favor and set them out in an array of bowls so folks can help themselves. And if it’s one of those weeks where you need to streeeeetch the grocery money ’till the next paycheck arrives, just ladle a little chili over a some cooked rice, a baked potato, even a plate of pasta and go easy on the cheese. No one will even notice.

Directions

1. In a dry large skillet over high heat, lightly toast both sides of the chiles for a few minutes. After roasting, remove the chiles from the pan and slice them open, then remove and discard the stem and seeds. Place the chiles in a bowl and add enough boiling water to cover. Let soften for 5 minutes. Purée the chiles in a blender or food processor, adding just enough of the soaking liquid to form a thick paste.

2. Heat the skillet again over medium-high heat, and then add the olive oil. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat and add the beef and 2 teaspoons of the salt. Brown the beef, stirring occasionally to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, about 15 minutes. If the meat seems excessively fatty (your judgment call), spoon off some of the fat, but leave some for flavor.

3. Stir in the cumin and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chile paste, red pepper flakes, oregano, bay leaf, jalapeños, and the remaining teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine.

4. Add the tomatoes and beer and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the beans and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Add water, if needed, for desired consistency. Serve with preferred condiments (see headnote).

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